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Calcutta HC Directs ECI to Ensure Poll Security, Amenities in Bengal

The Calcutta High Court has directed the Election Commission of India to ensure adequate security and provisions for basic amenities like drinking water at all polling stations for the upcoming Bengal Assembly elections. The order came on a Public Interest Litigation filed by the state BJP President. The court clarified that the petitioner cannot dictate whether central or state agencies should be responsible for security, leaving that decision to the ECI. The two-phase elections for 294 constituencies are scheduled for April 23 and April 29.

Key Points: Calcutta HC Orders ECI to Secure Bengal Polling Stations

  • Court directs ECI on polling station security
  • Order follows BJP PIL for booth-level safety
  • Basic amenities like drinking water mandated
  • Decision on central vs. state security left to ECI
  • Hearing on bureaucrat transfers also scheduled
2 min read

Bengal polls: Calcutta HC directs ECI to ensure security at all polling stations

Calcutta High Court directs Election Commission to ensure security and basic amenities at all polling stations for the two-phase Bengal Assembly elections.

"ensure that the voters... are provided with basic amenities like drinking water - Calcutta High Court"

Kolkata, March 25

A division bench of the Calcutta High Court, on Wednesday, directed the Election Commission of India to make adequate safety arrangement besides making sufficient provisions for drinking water as well as other basic amenities for the voters at all polling stations that would be utilised for the upcoming two-phase Assembly elections in West Bengal next month.

The division bench of the Calcutta High Court's Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen gave this direction to the ECI on a public interest litigation filed by the West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party President and Rajya Sabha member, Samik Bhattacharya, seeking the court's intervention to ensure 100 per cent booth-level security in the upcoming Assembly elections in the state on April 23 and April 29.

However, the division bench, at the same time, said that the petitioner did not have the authority on whether any central agency or a state agency would be made accountable for ensuring the state polls peacefully.

The division bench of the Calcutta High Court said that the decision on this issue would be taken by the ECI.

The division bench of Calcutta High Court also added that the court would ensure that the voters going to the polling stations to cast their votes are provided with basic amenities like drinking water, and that the security systems at the polling stations and polling booths are adequate or not.

During the court hearing in the matter on March 18, the division bench raised the question of whether it was not also the duty of the West Bengal government, along with the ECI, to ensure free, fair, and violence-free polls in the state.`

West Bengal will go to the polls in two phases on April 23 and April 29.

In the first phase, polling will be held for 152 Assembly constituencies, and in the second phase, for 142 constituencies.

On Wednesday, the public interest litigation, challenging the ECI's recent orders for transfer, replacements, and deputations of bureaucrats and police officers, is also scheduled for hearing at the same division bench of the Calcutta High Court.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Basic amenities like drinking water are a must, especially with the summer heat in April. It's sad that a court has to remind authorities of such fundamental requirements. Hope this directive is implemented on the ground.
R
Rohit P
While security is paramount, the court wisely left the agency decision (central or state) to the ECI. They are the experts. Politicians filing PILs often have partisan motives. Let the Commission do its job without political pressure.
P
Priya S
Good step by the HC. But will it be enough? Past elections have seen so much trouble. We need strict monitoring and immediate action against anyone trying to disrupt voting. Our democracy depends on it.
V
Vikram M
The hearing on transfers of bureaucrats and police officers is crucial. Neutral administration is the backbone of a fair election. Hoping the court ensures officers aren't shifted for political convenience.
M
Michael C
Respectfully, while the court's intentions are good, is this not micromanagement? The ECI already has protocols. Sometimes judicial overreach, even for good causes, can create implementation chaos. Just a thought.
A
Ananya R
As a Bengali, I just want to cast my vote without fear and in comfort. Water, shade, and strong security shouldn't be

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